The Oyo Global Forum OGF has sounded the alarm over the increasing cases of kidnapping for ransom in the Oyo Federal Constituency, calling on the state government to take urgent action to curb the menace.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Taiwo Adebayo, the forum expressed deep concern over the growing wave of abductions, which have affected men, women, and young people across various communities, particularly in rural and suburban areas.
“Our people are being forced to pay huge sums, money that should be used for investment, education, and healthcare, just to secure the freedom of their loved ones. This traumatic and financially draining ordeal must not be allowed to continue,” the statement read.
The OGF attributed the rising cases of kidnapping to a lack of effective law enforcement, which has emboldened criminals. The forum urged Governor Seyi Makinde to demand greater accountability from security agencies, particularly the police, while also advocating for an increased security presence in rural areas, which have become hotspots for these crimes.
Additionally, the forum emphasized the importance of strengthening the operational capacity of the Amotekun Corps, the state’s security outfit. “We believe that Amotekun is a valuable resource in the fight against kidnappers, and enhancing its capacity for both offensive and preventive actions is urgently needed,” the statement continued.
The OGF also called on the state government to strictly enforce laws against unrestricted grazing, citing multiple reports from kidnapping victims and their families indicating that rogue Fulani herders were behind many of the abductions.
“These criminals are exploiting the unrestricted movement of cattle to access rural communities and abduct defenseless residents,” the group stated. “Added to the perennial violence between herders and farmers, this trend could force farmers to abandon their lands, worsening food security and economic hardship in the state.”
The forum concluded its statement by appealing to the state government to act swiftly and decisively in order to restore peace and security in the region.
“We urge Governor Makinde to act now before the situation spirals further out of control. The safety and economic well-being of our people depend on decisive and sustained action.”
With pressure mounting from civil society and affected communities, all eyes are now on the Oyo State Government’s response to this escalating security crisis.
